Dublin master Meath despite McGrath goals
Dublin 0-16
Meath 2-8
The Meath Masters suffered their first defeat of the year following a tough physical encounter against Dublin at St Brigid’s in Castleknock on Saturday.
The Dubs – backboned by Bernard Brogan, Ross McConnell and Eoghan O’Gara – are among the favourites to win the All-Ireland Masters FC, but Meath, in what is their first year in the competition, produced a very strong performance and will regret several missed chances over the course of the contest.
Defensively they were brilliant in curtailing the influence of Dublin’s attackers and denied the home side any clear-cut goal chances.
Meath, captained by Donaghmore/Ashbourne’s James Flavin, started on the front foot and Joe Sheridan almost scored a goal in the opening seconds, only for Dublin goalkeeper Jimmy Keogh to deflect it over the crossbar.
Brogan, the 2010 Footballer of the Year, replied for Dublin and with McConnell playing well in the middle of the field, they edged 0-3 to 0-1 ahead. However, Trim’s Owen McGrath netted the first of his two goals soon after and that kept Meath in touch at half-time, with Dublin leading 0-10 to 1-4 at the turnaround.
Sheridan scored the first two points of the second half as Meath reduced the deficit to the minimum but Dublin responded to open out a four point lead for the first time. Midway through the half, a really well worked move with quick hand-passing ended with McGrath slapping home his second goal, 2-7 to 0-14.
However, the Royals just couldn’t get level in a tense finale as Dublin held out for a two-point victory.
Meath have two games remaining in the group stages – away to Wicklow in a fortnight before a home fixture against Leitrim-Longford.
Having picked up three wins from four matches so far, Tadhg Boyle’s Meath side are still on course to qualify for the knockout stages.
Meath: Willie Arkins; Ronan McGuinness, Brian O’Reilly, Ray Russell; Paddy Nugent, James Flavin, Neil Darby; Keith Reilly (0-1), Gary Arkins; Peadar Byrne, Niall Mooney, Stevie McManus, Owen McGrath (2-0), Joe Sheridan (0-6 two frees), Gordon Weldon. Subs: Keith McGuinness, Keith Hamilton (0-1), Barry Balfe, David Gormley, Matthew Hanley, Brendan Heffernan, Brian Lucey, Michael McBride, Bernard McLoughlin, John L McGee, David Rowley, Stephen Reddy, David Russell.
Dublin: Jimmy Keogh; Shane Harkin, Fein Condron, Ronan Murdock; Alan Daly, David Mooney, Daniel McCann; Ross McConnell, Conor Brady; Ciaran Slane, Ger Vickery, Kevin O Cearbhaill; Niall Tomey, David O'Sullivan, Bernard Brogan. Subs: Stephen Moore, Joey Donnelly, Colly Donohoe, Stephen Dunne, Andrew Farrell, Barry Fitzgerald, Shane Guckian, Jason Joyce, Ciaran Mac Fhearghusa, Stephen McGuinness, Kenny McDonagh, Ciaran McGuinness, Brendan McManamon, Kevin McManamon, Stephen Mullan, Gary O'Connell, Eoghan O'Gara, Sean Sweeney.